Home Care In South Pasadena, CA

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!

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.

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 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.

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.