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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In South Pasadena, CA

Home Care South Pasadena, CA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Vivekananda House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in South Pasadena, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care South Pasadena, CA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider The owner Diane, is on top of things. They have kind caring and knowledgeable staff and respond in a very timely manner. What a great service they have provided both mentally and physically for our family. Highly recommended.”

Deee D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Thank you ABC of Pasadena for all of your help. My family is grateful for your support. The quality of care is exceptional and I feel that I can rely upon ABC of Pasadena to meet all of our needs.”

dwjones
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you ABC of Pasadena for all of your help. My family is grateful for your support. The quality of care is exceptional and I feel that I can rely upon ABC of Pasadena to meet all of our needs.”

Doug J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you ABC of Pasadena for all of your help. My family is grateful for your support. The quality of care is exceptional and I feel that I can rely upon ABC of Pasadena to meet all of our needs.”

Doug J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I was trying to get a lifeline alert system for my mom and was having a difficult time finding a right one until I got connected with Diane. She was so professional and productive!!! Definitely a go to person if you ever need her service. Thank you so much Diane!!”

Julia C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Diane Pierson was great. She guided us through a very difficult time while searching for an assistive living with memory care facility care for my 90 year old step mother. Diane took her time, spoke with us and provided several options. We are now in the process of relocating my step mother to an excellent facility that she recommended and would not be able to do this relocation without her help.”

Lee G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I want to personally thank Diane Pierson and Ly French with Always Best Care Senior Services Pasadena for everything they did to help me find a place for my mother to reside at. They are very dedicated and supportive to all the families they help. My mother could have become homeless without Ly’s expertise, empathy, commitment and clear communication on what to do next. Always Best Care specifically matched my mother's unique circumstances, social needs, desired location and budget. Diane and Ly are very passionate about senior care and will help you and your family with the highest level of service. I will never forget this experience or their kindness. I highly recommend them to everyone! We made the best choice working with Always Best Care Senior Services Pasadena.”

Mas T.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in South Pasadena, CA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care South Pasadena, CA

Types of Elderly Care in South Pasadena, CA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care South Pasadena, CA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers South Pasadena, CA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting South Pasadena Nature Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care South Pasadena, CA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Shiro or visit "Rose Hedge", Jared S. Torrance House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care South Pasadena, CA

Benefits of Home Care in South Pasadena, CA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in South Pasadena, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care South Pasadena, CA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your CA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care South Pasadena, CA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in South Pasadena, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care South Pasadena, CA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers South Pasadena, CA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Prospect Manor Assisted Living
  • MorningStar Senior Living of Pasadena
  • South Pasadena Care Center
  • Meridian Manor
  • Pasadena Meadows Nursing Center
  • Silverado The Huntington Memory Care Community
Home Care South Pasadena, CA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care South Pasadena, CA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in South Pasadena, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care South Pasadena, CA

Latest News in South Pasadena, CA

SPUSD Recognizes Rachel Fox with Golden Apple Award

If you have had a student in our public schools in the past twenty years, then you know the name Rachel Fox – a tireless parent volunteer who has dedicated herself to a myriad of programs, worn many hats over the years, and undoubtedly made our schools a better and brighter place for our students.During a special awards ceremony on February 27, 2024, Superintendent Yantz acknowledged Fox’s more than 19 years of service to the District. Fox served as an elementary school room parent for 12 years at Arroyo Vista and while th...

If you have had a student in our public schools in the past twenty years, then you know the name Rachel Fox – a tireless parent volunteer who has dedicated herself to a myriad of programs, worn many hats over the years, and undoubtedly made our schools a better and brighter place for our students.

During a special awards ceremony on February 27, 2024, Superintendent Yantz acknowledged Fox’s more than 19 years of service to the District. Fox served as an elementary school room parent for 12 years at Arroyo Vista and while there served as Chair of Jog-A-Thon, All City Track Meet, PTA Membership, PTA Box Tops, and received the Honorary Service Award.

She was also active as a Team Parent and Special Events Chair for AYSO and as a coach, board member, and team parent for South Pasadena Little League for many years.

At South Pasadena Middle School, Fox served as Booster Club President, Booster Club Communications Chair, PTA Staff Appreciation Chair, and team/club parent for Drama, Soccer, and Football.

At South Pasadena High School Fox has served as Booster Club VP of Marketing, Booster Club Communications Chair, Football Team Parent, Boys Soccer Team Parent, PTSA President, PTSA Wish Night Chair, Yes on S Committee, an active member of the Drama parent committee, SPHS Logo and Re-branding Committee, and the SPUSD Logo Committee.

Fox has also served in the community as a Senior Citizen Commissioner and on the South Pasadena Educational Foundation Board of Directors for 6 years.

When reached for comment, Fox exclaimed, “It was so special. I mean really special. Means a lot.” When asked what serving our schools has meant to her, Fox replied, “there is no greater or more impactful job I’ve had than volunteering, specifically volunteering in South Pasadena schools. Our city is a great place to call home and its families are so fortunate to live in a community filled with supportive and caring individuals.” She went on to say, “seeing a Tiger football player at Tomato Pie (man I loved being a football team mom) or one of my oldest daughter’s AV kindergarten classmates at Jones Coffee or a former SPEF board member at TJs is always the highlight of my day. Truly there’s been no greater gift than living and raising kids in South Pasadena. I’m really honored at the fact that Dr. Yantz and SPUSD has recognized me with this super cool award.”

A statement from the district read, “SPUSD extends heartfelt congratulations to Rachel Fox, who recently received the Association of California School Administrator’s Golden Apple Award for Volunteerism. With an energetic personality and smile, Rachel Fox actively seeks out opportunities to support SPUSD students, teachers, and staff and has devoted countless hours of support and volunteer service to the South Pasadena Unified School District. We appreciate you!”

Congratulations to Rachel. A grateful community thanks you!

The Intense Thrill-Ride of TRAP at SPHS

So much fun! SPHS Drama’s fall production of the psychological thriller, TRAP, is an intense thrill ride that keeps you guessing from beginning to the final, head-spinning moment. The show is a unique combination of documentary theatre, procedural mystery, and supernatural rollercoaster – in other words, strap in for a chill-inducing experience that takes you on an intriguing, goos...

So much fun! SPHS Drama’s fall production of the psychological thriller, TRAP, is an intense thrill ride that keeps you guessing from beginning to the final, head-spinning moment. The show is a unique combination of documentary theatre, procedural mystery, and supernatural rollercoaster – in other words, strap in for a chill-inducing experience that takes you on an intriguing, goose-bumpy ride.

One word of advice, do not google anything about this play before going or things will certainly be spoiled. Rest assured, you will find no spoilers in this review because truly, that’s half the fun of seeing TRAP.

A mysterious incident has occurred at the Oak Box Theater in Menachap, California, where the entire audience attending a play, save for one person, has fallen unconscious. A sharp, young detective tries to piece together the evidence and we begin to learn about some unsettling events that occurred at the theater in the past and in the days and moments before the incident. The story is told through interviews with the sole survivor, first responders, students at the school, and researchers who have been studying similar phenomena.

The story captivates from the beginning and, together with Stephen Gregg’s writing and Nick Hoffa’s masterful direction, keeps the tension and suspense building in a fast-paced, one-act that carenes into a shocking conclusion. The cast is a true ensemble with every actor taking on multiple roles, each capturing the fears and anxieties of the people involved and illuminating more clues as we begin to piece together what is going on. They work beautifully together in walking a fine line with the audience between what’s real and what isn’t.

The cast is all in, completely invested – so much so that when the twists and turns occur, the audience is discombobulated to the point of questioning what is and isn’t intentional, becoming in turn equally invested in the “hunt”. Your mind begins to play tricks on you, which is at once disconcerting, uncomfortable, and exciting.

Some standout performances are Milla Sanchez-Regalado as the no nonsense, new on the job detective, Gwendolyn Heche. She leads the audience through her process of figuring out what happened with a determined yet compassionate touch. Via Abelev is fascinating and mysterious as Kenosha, the one person who seems to have actually witnessed something before the incident. Charlotte Dekle is forceful and razor sharp, raising the stakes as researcher Marion Jay. Sophia Swallow is fierce in her vulnerability as the only person to survive the incident, Angela Lure. Dashiell Roll is charismatic in the dual role of Rickenoch/Jonathan and has great chemistry with Lucia Benning who brings passion and pathos to the role of the romantic and doomed Norma Pike.

As always, James Jontz and his technical team work to bring Hoffa’s innovative vision to life, creating a theatre in different eras along with various sequences in the town, the hospital and a visually creative oceanfront scene. Hoffa’s sound design using the music of Erik Satie set the perfect, otherworldly and eerie tone.

So, buckle up, enjoy this twisty ride and above all, Don’t Tell The Secret! At least until the run is over!

TRAP is directed by Nick Hoffa with technical direction by James Jontz and continues it’s run November 10, 11 & 12. All show are at 7pm. Tickets and information at SouthPasDrama.com

Performances held at the Little Theatre at South Pasadena High School 1401 Fremont Ave. South Pasadena, CA. General admission is $15.

The cast includes Via Abelev, Keira Adams, Lucia Benning, Tiger Carpenter, Shelby Collins, Caitlyn Colmenares, Charlotte Dekle, Lily DiCandia, Alexandra Gossett, Mina Mannal, Travis Obando, Dashiell Roll, Milla Sanchez-Regalado, Lillian Sherman, Sophia Swallow, Mia Tavera, Mikala Toshima, Vivian Yu, and Madeline Wernberg. Understudies: June Barthelemy, Belen Belavek, Mia Chamorro, Radine Simpson, Maggie Vyas, and Mathias Atencio. Student Producers: Simone Ashton, Elena Kubarycz, Solon McDonald, Michelle Shadmon, Gwyneth Daley, Julia Hoffman, Michelle Maling.

SPHS Drama will present the Steve Martin and Edie Brickell musical BRIGHT STAR, this spring at the Anderson Auditorium. Stay tuned for details.

$500 Microgrants Offered To Uplift South Pasadena Neighborhoods

LOS ANGELES, CA — Sometimes it’s the little things that have the biggest impact. That’s why the Nextdoor Kind Foundation is offering $500 microgrants to 100 Los Angeles County residents with big ideas for changing their little corner of the world.The idea is simple: Any individual with creative ideas and projects benefiting their Los Angeles County community can apply. The application period is open until March 29. The grant-winning initiatives will be ones that spark civic engagement and strengthen the community, sa...

LOS ANGELES, CA — Sometimes it’s the little things that have the biggest impact. That’s why the Nextdoor Kind Foundation is offering $500 microgrants to 100 Los Angeles County residents with big ideas for changing their little corner of the world.

The idea is simple: Any individual with creative ideas and projects benefiting their Los Angeles County community can apply. The application period is open until March 29. The grant-winning initiatives will be ones that spark civic engagement and strengthen the community, said Devanshi Mehta, Nextdoor Finance Business Partner.

The goal, said Mehta, is “to focus on inspiring and empowering hyperlocal leaders to create impact in their communities, really, one neighborhood at a time.”

According to Mehta, examples of projects can include organizing a community walk or clean up, connecting the community through murals or other art projects, refurbishing parks or playscapes, purchasing equipment for youth sports programs or clubs, organizing neighborhood or community meals, starting a farmer’s market stand, and bringing groceries to neighbors and community members in need.

“We really want to take the time to back and empower so many leaders who are doing things in Los Angeles,” Mehta said.

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In many cases, people are already performing these community services in their daily lives, but the $500 grant could help them scale up or inspire others to get involved, she added.

The grants are designed for individuals, but the applicants can take on projects for the benefit of community groups or nonprofits, said Mehta. One such example would be buying pickleball equipment for the Boys and Girls Club, she added.

“Local leaders understand their neighborhoods best, and the actions that will have the greatest impact for their communities,” said Shireen Santosham, Executive Director, Nextdoor Kind Foundation. “These microgrants will provide civically-engaged Angelenos the opportunity to advance their work and ideas and build connection and kindness in their neighborhoods.”

According to the Nextdoor Kind Foundation, the applications will be judged on how well their initiatives illustrate community impact, foster community collaboration, include measurable outcomes, and help uplift under-resourced communities. The grant review process will take place in April.

Los Angeles County residents can apply for the microgrant here.

It’s the second year in a row that the foundation has given out grants to strengthen communities. In 2023, the Nextdoor Kind Foundation teamed up with the NAACP and Hello Alice to distribute $200,000 to US small businesses owned by individuals of color as part of the Keep It Local Business Grant Program.

Four South Pasadena Women Receive Women in Business Awards from Senator Portantino

Four residents of South Pasadena received awards from Senator Anthony J. Portantino at his 2023 Women in Business Legislative Update and Awards Luncheon held in Burbank on Dec. 6.Written for the South Pasadenan by Sally KilbyFour residents of South Pasadena received awards from Senator Anthony J. Portantino at his 2023 Women in Business Legislative Update and Awards Luncheon held at the scenic Castaway event venue in Burbank on Dec. 6. A total of 41 women from Portantino’s 25th Senate District received aw...

Four residents of South Pasadena received awards from Senator Anthony J. Portantino at his 2023 Women in Business Legislative Update and Awards Luncheon held in Burbank on Dec. 6.

Written for the South Pasadenan by Sally Kilby

Four residents of South Pasadena received awards from Senator Anthony J. Portantino at his 2023 Women in Business Legislative Update and Awards Luncheon held at the scenic Castaway event venue in Burbank on Dec. 6. A total of 41 women from Portantino’s 25th Senate District received awards. The annual program aims to recognize local businesswomen in the district, according to the event program. More than 400 attended the event.

Senator Portantino presented each award. Dr. Laurie Leshin, director at Jet Propulsion Laboratory since May 2022, served as the keynote speaker.

The following biographical profiles of the South Pasadena honorees were adapted from the official program:

Janet Benjamin received an award in the small-business category. She has worked for her family’s business, Shaw, Moses, Mendenhall Insurance, since 1994. Her experience in all levels of the insurance industry has given her the requisite knowledge to be an effective leader and partner. Benjamin is also a longtime volunteer and official with the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses and is dedicated to continuing the tradition of the city’s self-built float. In this, she is inspired by her father, Ted Shaw (deceased), South Pasadena civic leader, float supporter and one of the founders of the family insurance company. Now owned by Benjamin, her sister Sandy Miranti and brother-in-law Mark Miranti, the business continues to contribute to the float’s success.

Connie Chung Joe, JD, is the CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Her award was in the Law category. She has been a public interest lawyer since 2002. Her accomplishments include serving as executive director of Korean American Family Services, co-founding the API Human Trafficking Task Force of LA County, and being appointed by the Governor to the California Flexible Assistance for Survivors Advisory Committee and by the California Senate to the Domestic Violence Advisory Council. Chung Joe co-chairs the LA County Human Relations Commission’s LA v. Hate Campaign and serves on the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s AAPI Advisory Board.

Ellen Daigle received the award for “most inspirational” businesswoman. She is founder and president of Ellen’s Silkscreening, which she has operated for more than 45 years. She is a founding member and current vice president of Women Involved in South Pasadena Political Advocacy (WISPPA), an organization promoting accountability and transparency in local government. She has been appointed to several city commissions. Daigle serves on the executive board of Women in Leadership Vital Voices, which provides an understanding of the political process and encourages direct participation. She was a recipient of a Senior Champion Award from the Senior Citizens Foundation of South Pasadena in August 2023. She received a Shining Star Award from the South Pasadena Woman’s Club in 2019.

Leslie Ito is the executive director of the Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena and is widely regarded as one of Los Angeles’ most skillful and entrepreneurial arts executives. Her award was in the Arts category. She is a Pasadena native and a fourth-generation Japanese American. She has more than 25 years of proven cultural leadership and fundraising expertise. Her reputation for cultural bridge-building and advocacy underscores her deep commitment to arts equity and access for all. Her previous experience included serving as president and CEO of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, program director for Arts and Health at the California Community Foundation, executive director of Visual Communications, and as a trustee for the Durfee Foundation.

Winners represented such other categories as trailblazer, nonprofit executive directors, volunteer, empowerment and science and technology. Several hundred nominations were submitted to Portantino’s office, according to the senator’s announcement of the winners. Former State Senator Jack Scott started this event during the late 1990s, Portantino said, and it has been continued by the sitting state senator of the District.

How a small city's battle over building highlights larger housing issues across California

SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. — It’s taken nearly three years for a small city nestled in the San Gabriel Valley to come up with a housing plan that California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, and the state’s housing department can sign off on.What You Need To Know The battle between South Pasadena and the state represents a larger issue across California when it comes to building affordable housing. While major metropolitan cities like Los Angeles are building faster than ever, neighboring citi...

SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. — It’s taken nearly three years for a small city nestled in the San Gabriel Valley to come up with a housing plan that California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, and the state’s housing department can sign off on.

What You Need To Know

The battle between South Pasadena and the state represents a larger issue across California when it comes to building affordable housing. While major metropolitan cities like Los Angeles are building faster than ever, neighboring cities in the county are falling behind.

Dr. Josh Albrektson is a neuroradiologist who has lived in South Pasadena with his wife and two young boys for about four years.

“It’s such a nice community here, central to everything and you know, I love it here,” he said.

But as he saw more of his friends and neighbors moving away — and more unhoused people in the streets — Albrektson became motivated to fight for affordable housing in his city.

“You know, there’s a lot of new laws that were passed in 2017 and in a lot of ways, these laws are not being enforced or were not being enforced,” he said. “So, I try my hardest to make sure that these laws do get enforced in places like South Pasadena.”

Albrektson is talking about the new push from state leaders like Bonta and California’s Department of Housing and Community Development, or HDC, that’s asking cities to build more housing than ever before to meet population growth, as the state grapples with a severe housing shortage.

South Pasadena was asked to build 2,067 new units of housing by approximately 2030, but up to this point they haven’t been able to break ground on construction, because the state’s housing department has rejected their plan repeatedly.

Their latest draft, however, is finally on the road to approval and Albrektson said that was all due to pressure from residents like him, and other community leaders, including Anne Bagasao — the co-founder of the South Pasadena Tenants’ Union.

She said her fight is focused on making sure renters — like herself — don’t get priced out of good neighborhoods.

“People deserve to stay housed they deserve to be in safe communities no matter where that is, they deserve to have their children go to good schools and it shouldn’t just be for the rich… we aren’t a 3.4-mile gated community,” she said.

Both Albrektson and Bagasao said small affluent cities like South Pasadena have been struggling with their housing elements, because they’ve been intentionally down-zoning for decades — in other words deliberately limiting their housing to keep people out.

According to data in the LA Almanac, South Pasadena had a population of 22,979 back in 1970. Most recent data show its population has only grown to about 26,000 in 2020, while other cities in Los Angeles County have either doubled or tripled in size.

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But city leaders like South Pasadena City Council member Janet Braun, who used to be on the city’s planning commission, said they’re not down-zoning, they just face unique challenges due to South Pasadena’s size.

“There’s a lot of people who’ve struggled with this, I think particularly neighborhoods that have built out like South Pasadena — we do have 10,000 housing units, so adding in a 3.4-square mile city an additional 2,067 units is a challenge,” Braun said.

Braun also acknowledged the flaws in previous versions of their housing element, and says thanks to hiring a new consultant and getting more creative in their approach, this latest version gets it right — by taking the missing middle into considering and adding more two- and fourplexes to their building plan, which can increase housing without taking away from South Pasadena’s charm.

“We got a lot of really great positive community input and I think we have really nailed layering in density and preparing for population growth,” she said.

Even Albrektson, who’s gone back and forth with the city on their plan for two years, said he’s pleased with this final draft, and is excited to see how his city will transform.

“I think it’s going to be a model city, shockingly I never thought I would be able to say that, but I hope people will actually be able to live here in south pas more than just the richest people in la county,” he said.

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