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
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,The Daily Show on Facebook

Great Furnishings and a Friendly Designer

There's always something on display that grabs your attention at Bonita Interiors

On Saturday, I did my regular routine of afternoon coffee and cookie at The Market on Holly, but instead of heading straight back to my place I decided to do a little walking in Old Pasadena.  Since Bonita Interiors had set up shop on Holly I had always admired the beautiful furnishings on display whenever I passed by, and that day I finally walked in.  What a revelation--not only do they have a beautiful mix of furnishings but Angela, the proprietor, was just a joy to talk to and discuss all things furniture and design.  From the get-go you can sense her passion for design and to share tidbits of our respective backgrounds was refreshing and inspiring.  If you get a chance and want to check out some gorgeous furnishings then stop by Bonita Interiors.

• Bonita Interiors [website]

Pasadenaville's Live Edge Tables Profiled on Apartment Therapy!

A little shameless self-promotion: yesterday, I found out that a couple of my tables were profiled on the influential design website, Apartment Therapy.  I was wondering why this blog and my Etsy site traffic shot up in addition to my email box being flooded with inquiries on my live-edge tables.  I'm really honored to have my products featured on a wonderful site such as Apartment Therapy and I've often thought that my products really fit with the AT demographics.  If you're in the market for live-edge tables or other furniture, hit me up! 

• Neon Hairpin Legs: When Industrial Gets Happy [Apartment Therapy]
• Live Edge Furniture: Pasadenaville {Etsy}

Innovative Design

I came across this video while browsing Dwell, and although I'm mixed on this particular home design (circular), I will say that it's daring, creative and innovative. 

Happy Birthday, Gold Line!

photo: Curbed LA

The Gold Line celebrated its 10th birthday yesterday, and Pasadena should feel very lucky that we have the best line out of all the Metro lines.  When I bought my condo a few years ago one of my priority items when house-hunting was that it be located within walking distance of a Gold Line stop.  I've made countless trips between Pasadena and downtown and have on a few occasions ventured out further, connecting with the Red Line to Hollywood and North Hollywood.  And with extension further east into Arcadia and Azusa, the Gold Line will only get better (have you seen the beautiful "basket" bridge, part of the Gold Line extension?)

Light rail is already an important issue within LA's mass transit planning and an integral part of how the city/county and surrounding metro area defines itself in the next few decades.  Not everyone is on the same page (look at the problems plaguing the Expo Line's extension through the Westside and into Santa Monica).  But looking closer to home Pasadena has indeed benefited in spades from the Gold Line and will continue as this mode of transportation takes on a greater presence in the LA area.

Sidenote: everyone talks about how once the Expo Line is done how it will allow many Angelenos to hit the beach without jumping into their cars.  Well, it goes both ways and it will allow many Westsiders an alternative and easier access into the Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley area?  I've talked to many UCLA fans who have taken the Gold Line during game day at the Rose Bowl and all have wonderful things to say about the convenience the Gold Line offers.

Sidenote 2: Curbed mentioned how once the Regional Connector is finished in the downtown area, the Gold Line will become part of the Blue Line.  I cringed when I read that.  I'm just going to say it: the Blue Line is awful.  Dirty, trashy cars, unreliable service, lots of very rude riders...the list goes on.  I just hope there won't be any spillover effect.

• Metro Gold Line Celebrates 10 Years of Progress  [The Source]
• The Gold Line, LA's Most Lovable Light Rail, Turns 10 Today [Curbed LA]

Old Pasadena Farmers Market: Coming Very Soon!

From our friends at Downtown Pasadena Neighborhood Association:

RESIDENTS LOOKING FORWARD TO NEW FARMERS MARKET IN OLD PASADENA AFTER LONG DELAYS

The much anticipated Old Pasadena Farmer’s Market is on the horizon and is expected to open on August 4, 2013 on Holly Street between Fair Oaks and Raymond Avenue. Southland Farms operates eleven markets in the Southern California area, including the widely attended Santa Monica market. Through the tenacious efforts of Steve Mulheim and the business owners of the Old Pasadena Management District the market is a much-anticipated addition to the Old Pasadena Area. All three of the business districts (Old Pasadena, Playhouse District and South Lake) will now have their own markets. If you happen to miss this market the other markets are:

• Villa Parke Farmer’s Market, Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Villa Street and Garfield
• South Lake Pasadena Farmer’s Market  Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. at the Corporate Center on South Lake
• Playhouse District Farmer’s Market, Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Union Street and Madison

We can't wait!!

Ode to Altadena

As some of you have heard, the small newspaper publication, Pasadena Sun, printed its last edition this past Sunday.  A community newspaper distributed by the Los Angeles Times, it was a welcome addition to my periodical enjoyment (I consider myself a tech-savvy individual who still likes to rustle newspapers).  In this last issue, reporter Timothy Rutt wrote a nice article on the joy of reporting the going-ons of our sister city to our north.

I've make dozens upon dozens of visits to different parts of Altadena on behalf of the film business (sorry, residents of Rubio St.--I know you're sick and tired of all the filming that goes on in your neighborhood), and I'm always taken aback of how un-L.A. this community is...and in a good way!  I never fail to come across friendly people and a creative spirit that permeates across this town.  Timothy used the word culture, and I think he hits on a term that identifies a uniqueness that is all Altadena.  One would never mistaken Altadena for San Francisco but there's a certain liberalness and vibe that makes it a place I want to learn more about and keep visiting.

South Marengo Ave: Turning 'Meh' to 'Nice'

South Marengo Ave and E. Glenarm St.

Something bothers me everytime I drive down (or up) Marengo Ave. between Glenarm and California (and maybe even beyond California, say up to Del Mar).  I mean, it's a nice street: tree-lined, wide, view of the mountains on a clear day, well-kept apartments and townhouses all along and a nice alternative to Arroyo without it being too busy.  Then it hit me.  The center median/turn lanes is making this stretch pretty ho-hum.  Let's imagine a pretty esplanade with green shrubery and maybe some jacarandas (There are already palms on Arroyo, so no need to duplicate it here).  We could make it where the esplanade would stagger and enough spacing still maintained to allow ample room for left turns even with two or three cars in a row.  Hmm, I'm liking the idea already...

Food Waste = Green Energy

Kroger Co.'s clean-energy production facility in Compton converts food that can't be sold or donated into energy.
Photo: LA Times

Food waste...while I won't dwell on how we tend to waste food within individual households, let's talk about what happens to all the perishable food that doesn't sell in grocery stores.  A subject that has always hit a sore spot with many was profiled with many positives today in an article in the Los Angeles Times, which reported on a large system that turns food that's unable to be sold or donated into organic sludge which in turn converts the methane that's produced into energy.

The facility profiled in the article is located in Kroger's distribution facility in Compton and handles their subsidiaries' food waste (includes Ralph's and Food 4 Less).  What would happen if you had a municipality like Pasadena adopt a facility like this?  Would it be more feasible if you had one large "anaerobic digester system", which is shared among all the grocery stores in Pasadena?  Would there be large opposition, or a NIMBY attitude, to a facility like this even though it emits no odors or pollution?  Can stores and even the city both profit from an operation like this (lower energy costs, transportation cost elimination, etc.) in order to make it truly sustainable?  Can the citizens of Pasadena and others like restaurants, farmers markets and others participate in order to increase capacity and power output and share in the benefits?   I've mentioned before that Pasadena is unique in which we generate our own power and not reliant on inefficient and bureaucratic providers such as Edison and DWP.  Why wouldn't this be an ideal extension of PWP's facilities?

• Brown Food, Green Energy [LA Times]

Home of the Week - 810 N. Michigan Ave.

photo: MLS

This beauty is located in Bungalow Heaven, and everyone know that fine craftsman bungalows like this rarely come up for sale in this area.  Well-maintained, wonderful details and lots of upgrades along with being in an area where neighborhood pride runs strong.

• 810 North Michigan Ave. [Redfin]
• Price: $945,000
• 3 Beds/1 Bath
• 1635 sq. ft.
• Pasadena area: Bungalow Heaven

Pasadena's Oldest House for Sale

photo: Michael Dilsaver, Partners Trust

 The James Craig Adobe, the oldest building in Pasadena, is up for sale.  A Cultural Heritage Landmark and also listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the house was built around the 1840's, before California became part of the union.  It was recently featured on a tour sponsored by the Pasadena Heritage Society highlighting the city's oldest homes.  170 years old and looking pretty damn good.

• 2121 Monte Vista St. [website]
• The James Craig Adobe [Pasadena Daily Photo]

Home of The Week: Home By Frank Lloyd Wright...Junior

photo: MLS

Okay, so it's not by THE Frank Lloyd Wright (known in most circles as just Lloyd Wright), and it's not technically in Pasadena.  But this Altadena home sure is pretty.  If you're a fan of mid-century modern then the Dorland Home is sure to raise your hair.  Check out the living room ceiling. As Curbed pointed out, there's some inspiration derived not just from his father's Usonian design but also John Lautner's Shaffer House especially with the semi-cantilever.

• 1370 Morada Place [Redfin]
• Price: $945,000
• 2 Beds/1 Bath
• 1465 sq. ft.
• Pasadena area: Altadena

Stucco: Ugly and Here to Stay?

You either like it or you don't.  Stucco.  It's everywhere here in Southern California.  Look around and chances are that the house or apartment building next to yours is clad in beige stucco.  The office building down the street?  Stucco.  That wanna-be French McMansion being built in your neighborhood that the neighbors are protesting?  Yep, stucco.  Fellow blogger Steven Corwin wrote a pretty scathing rant on what is an unfortunate symptom of rapid development and shortsightedness among yesterday's and today's prolific developers.  Kind of hard not to disagree, eh?

• Dear property developers: your stucco buildings are ruining my city [Steven Corwin]

Development Watch: Urth Cafe

Urth Cafe construction, Colorado Blvd. & Madison Ave.

The construction of the Urth Cafe building on Colorado Blvd. is coming along nicely.  It's Spanish Mission influences already evident with tiles and beams throughout and that curvilinear gable over the main entranceway.  This is going to be one beautiful building, blending in nicely with the Playhouse District buildings.  A wonderful example of infill done right (remember the shoe repair place before it?)  Bring on the (organic) coffee!

Better, But It's Still a Chained-Linked Fence

New side of freeway and fence, Southbound 110 Arroyo Seco Parkway

Anyone who travels southbound down the 110-Arroyo Seco Parkway is probably as disgusted as I am with the trash, broken fences, graffiti, downed signs (and sometimes lightpoles) etc. that line the freeway from South Pasadena all the way downtown.  Ugly.  There are plastic bags that have been stuck on the same ugly stump branches by the freeway for YEARS.

Well, at least there's one semi-beautification effort going on.  It looks like Caltrans is currently fixing the side of the freeway from Orange Grove to York Bl., laying stones/river rock (it was previously just broken asphalt) and putting up new fences.  Ugh, we just can't seem to move away from fences.  In any case, according to Caltrans' planned lane closures this work is to extend to Marmion Way.  Let's hope it goes beyond that.  The rock bed looks nice and it's laid out and angled in a way where litter and debris would have a tougher time accumulating and just sitting there.  But again, those damn fences.  We're still a couple years away from implementing any of the proposals laid out in Caltrans' recent Arroyo Seco Corridor Partnership Plan.  In the meantime, any work is better than leaving it as it is.

• Historic Arroyo Seco Corridor Partnership Plan [Caltrans]

It Can Be Done

We were all fixated with moving the Space Shuttle from LAX to it's final destination at the Science Center, but how does it compare with moving a very large 3-story, 260 foot, 6200 ton brick building built in 1889?  Well, they did it in Zurich, Switzerland.  Ok, so it was moved only 200 feet and not across the city, but they moved it!  And intact!  I guess if there was ever a need to move one of Pasadena's old buildings we now know: it can be done. I will never again doubt man's engineering prowess.

Moving of the MFO building in Zurich 2012, time lapse from Patrick Gautschy on Vimeo.