Playhouse District Projects

Rendering of Union Village, courtesy of Mack Urban

Oh no! The Playhouse District is stealing Old Pasadena's thunder!  Actually, for the last two years for anyone who's traveled the stretch of Colorado Bl. from Lake on west can't help but notice the changes going on in the PD.  New restaurants started springing up and lots of people started coming in.  The cherry on top is Urth Cafe's opening last year and the crowds just keep on coming.

But the bigger picture is the way Pasadena is moving in the right direction with regards to density planning and design.  That's not to say that there were no hurdles when proposals were first submitted to raze the old furniture store on the corner of Colorado and El Molino, because there were many (the first proposals were nothing like what is currently being erected on the site).  It was good to see the Playhouse District association and Pasadena Heritage play a role in making sure the new building was in keeping with the area's charm and feel.

I was fortunate enough to attend a Downtown Pasadena Neighborhood Association several months ago where representatives of Mack Urban spoke to our group on the plans for the site that will become Union Village.  To say that my jaw dropped-in a good way-is an understatement: good, sensible planning with a gorgeous design was presented and I could not wait for this project to start.  Not only will this blend nicely to the existing condo complex, Granada Court, but the architects made sure that a connection to Vroman's and thus Colorado Bl would be integral to the design of the new complex.  And the design: wow!  It'll be in the Mission Revival style: so Pasadena!

• 2 Pasadena Projects Give Nod to 1920's [LA Times]

Trees

image: Flickr-Dave Amos

Pasadena takes pride in its trees.  I'm proud to live in a city where trees are not just cherished but part of a city's identity.  But when it comes to maintenance I can only give Pasadena a C+.  I live in the Old Pasadena area and since the devastating windstorm two years ago you would think that the city would have learned a lesson and outline some kind of plan to inspect, trim, thin and maintain most, if not all, the trees in the city to prepare for the next devastating windstorm and prevent massive losses.

Take a look at the area around the parking garage near the AT&T building within the Union, Arroyo Parkway, Holly St., Marengo block.  Two years ago crews thinned and trimmed the Pine trees within the private property boundary (within the sidewalk).  The Pines on the city side have grown so thick that they risk being felled during the next 80+ mph winds because windflow is restricted.  And don't get me started on the other trees in the area.  Crews used to come (at least) every other year to work on the trees in this area.  Where are they?

New Site, New Tables, New Attitude

Hello everyone!  Just want to update you on the progress of the new website and where I go from here.  I'm hoping to have the new Pasadenaville website live in about a week.  This site you're viewing now will still remain the same although it will revert back to its original address: pasadenaville.blogspot.com.

At the same time, I'm working on some new live edge wood tables while I continue to work on some custom order pieces (which I'm still behind on).  Hope to have the tables listed real soon.

There will also be a blog section within the new website, and though most of the posts will automatically be crossed with this blog you're reading, my thoughts and musings on Pasadena and sustainable living will still live on here.  So stay tuned!

Changes Are 'a Comin'

Hello everyone and Happy New Year (even though it's almost the end of January)!

I know it's been a LONG time since my last post, but I've been busy not just with my film production work but especially my woodwork business.  That being said, there will be some significant changes to the Pasadenaville site as I orient it more towards my live edge wood business while using social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter for my musings on Pasadena and the subjects of livability and sustainability.  However, I will also maintain a blog of some sorts on the new Pasadenaville website, so please stay tuned!  My optimism is running high for this new year and I hope it becomes a good one for you as well!

Nick Offerman & Woodworking

A good friend of mine shared with me a video of Nick Offerman, the actor in the television comedy Parks & Recreation, during an interview on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.  He talks at length about his love of woodworking and shows one example of his work, a beautiful Redwood bench.

The Daily Show
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