Pasadena Chamber events and activities for November, 2024-member news, voter guide and more

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS SUMMIT 2024

• Keynote Speaker is Stephen Cheung, President and CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation

Featured speakers include:

• Caltech's Fred Farina (director of the Office of Technology Transfer and Corporate Partnerships at California Institute of Technology)

• David Klug (director of economic development for the City of Pasadena) 

• JPL's Duane E. Waliser, (Chief Scientist, Earth Science and Technology Directorate, Jet Propulsion Laboratory)

The City of Pasadena and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce present our annual Economic and Business Summit on Thursday, October 24th at 11:30am at Altadena Town and Country Club. Hear speakers discuss the economy, local development, sustainability initiatives and much more.

Featured speaker is Stephen Cheung, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Cheung will provide an update on the tredns and factors that may be impactiing our local businesses and economy.

We will also hear from David Klug, City of Pasadena Economic Development Directory about local economic initiatives and development.

Speakers from Caltech and JPL will discuss corporate spinoffs, climate research and future initiatives toward sustainability.

The City of Pasadena generously co-presents the Economic and Business Summit.

Gold sponsors are Wells Fargo, Verizon and Kaiser Permanente.

Silver Sponsors is UCLA Health.

Invitations are in the mail.

Cost to attend is $90 per person. Corporate tables of 8 are $850. Sponsorships are available.

You can register and pay at https://www.pasadena-chamber.org/form/webform-2028

For more information please email leanne@pasadena-chamber.org.   

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CHAMBER NETWORKING EVENTS:

Luncheon Alliance presented by Athens Services

Join us on Wednesday, November 6th at 11:30am at Pasadena Highlands at 1575 East Washington Boulevard in Pasadena for lunch, networking and fun.

Pasadena Chamber Board Chair Katelyn Barchowsky of Storied Lane Marketing sponsors our networking lunch in November,

Call Kelly at 626-795-3355 to reserve your place at lunch.

Terrific food with business associates and friends. Promote your products and services. Meet new people. Tell everyone what you do and why you are special. Create valuable business connections. Find collaborators and customers. Parking in the upper deck parking lot (off Bresee Avenue) or on the street but do not miss this opportunity to grow with us. Cost is $35 for members and $45 for non-members. Reserve with Kelly before noon on Tuesday PLEASE! 

Athens Services is the presenting sponsor of our networking Luncheon Alliance.

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Connection Breakfast

Join us at Villa Gardens at 7:30am on Wednesday, November 20th for our monthly Connection Breakfast/

Everyone in attendance gets to present your business to the attendees. Come and meet fellow business owners and entrepreneurs, promote your business, make important contacts and support your prosperity.

Eggs Benedict, fruit, scrambled eggs, friend potatoes and much more are on the menu as you enhance your bottom line.

Elias Garcia of Kaiser Permanente sponsors breakfast in November.

Park for free with the valet or in the adjacent church parking lot. Cost is $35 for members and $40 for non-members. Reserve with Kelly before Friday, August 16th at 5pm. Call 626-795-3355 to reserve or email kelly@pasadena-chamber.org. 

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Pasadena Chamber After Hours social and mixer

This will be fun!

Join us on October 23rd at 5pm at Fogo de Chao at Colorado and Marengo in Pasadena. We're having our quarterly Pasadena Chamber After Hours social and mixer. Come for fun, food, drinks, fellowship and networking at beautiful Fogo de Chao.

Fogo provides appetizers and great atmosphere and service. Drinks are available at happy hour prices.

Cost is $5 CASH to get in.

No need to RSVP, just bring 5 bucks and party with fellow Pasadena Chamber members and friends. You can park in the parking structure at Marengo and Green (for a small fee) or on the street. Join us for festive food and drinks at Happy Hour prices. Bring your friends!

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These Pasadena Chamber members celebrated significant membership milestones with the Chamber:

• FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARIES: KidsZone Preschool Academy; Lloyd Pest Control
• TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY: San Gabriel Valley Lawyer Referral Service
• THIRTY YEAR ANNIVERSARY: Clearman’s North Woods Inn
• THIRTY-FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARIES: Pasadena Police Officers Association; The Westin Pasadena
• FIFTY-FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY: Al Brooks Rose Bowl Tours

These companies invested in their prosperity by joining the Chamber in September: 

• A Thoughtful Collective, Sylvia Koneazny, (626) 483-7310
• AEA Ribbon Mics, Inc., Jessica Reuter, (626) 798-9128 ext.105
• Alma Fuerte Public School, Brenton Andrews, (626) 204-5265
• Archer Roose, Juliana Stevens, (310) 944-1862
• Clean Queen Laundromat, Vatche Ghanimian, (747) 218-7880
• The Construction Services Group (CSG), Catherine Rajan
• Craft Ads, David Lawrence, (626) 491-4271
• Evergreen Montessori Academy, Dr. Kristine Vardanyan, (626) 460-0468
• Hawaii Fluid Art Pasadena, Dana Hursey, (626) 344-8409
• Hell Town Whiskey, Paul Overholt, (626) 674-9244
• Indus Travel, Saeed Parker, (866) 978-2997 ext.316
• IO Fitness, Inc. dba Alloy Personal Training, TJ Tzao, (626) 429-3743
• Lake Avenue Church, Chris Kolbeck, (626) 590-6720
• Medallion Telecom, Gary Khechoom, (818) 749-5442
• Merch Media, Sandy Becker, (213) 268-0438
• Mills Alley Japanese Izakaya, Steve Kang, (213) 245-3227
• New York Life Insurance – Alexander Sosnoski, (213) 698-4088
• Night Owl Psychotherapy, Carole Goguen, (626) 765-1846
• Perez Legal Group - PLG., Steve Perez, (626) 782-5777
• Priority Plus Staffing (PPS), Catharine Rajan, (626) 657-8229
• Reach Media, Alex Lin, (626) 861-9701
• Rebecca Crews LLC., I’sha Darrington, (310) 405-2517
• Sanctuary Fitness, Jasmine Kim, (310) 928-7787
• TYTON LLC., Erik Berg, (310) 569-5382)
• Urban Pocha, Steve Kang, (213) 245-3227

These companies renewed their membership in the Pasadena Chamber in September: 

• Best Online Traffic School
• Garvey Roofing Company, Inc.
• Gig Talent LLC
• J.P. Morgan Private Bank
• KidsZone Preschool Academy
• Kindred Dentistry
• LA Bookkeeping & Business Management Services
• Lloyd Pest Control
• MCS Burbank LLC
• Orchid Elegance
• Pasadena Police Foundation
• The Kensington Sierra Madre

• Clifford Swan Investment Counselors
• Cottage Co-Op Nursery School
• John Robinson Consulting, Inc.
• Omni Building Services, Inc./Tri Maids, Inc.
• Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP
• The Gamble House
• TheKey

• Chandler School
• Citrust Insurance Agency
• Clearman’s Galley, aka The Boat
• Custom Comfort Mattress
• DCG Technical Solutions, Inc.
• Edgewood Realty Partners, LLC
• Edward Jones Investments-Marengo Ave.
• Ganahl Lumber
• Greg McLemore
• San Gabriel Valley Lawyer Referral Service
• Servpro of Arcadia & Pasadena North

• Arcadian Retirement Center
• Arroyo Parkway Self Storage
• Chiropractic Health Center
• Clearman’s North Woods Inn
• Cushman & Wakefield
• Grandview Foundation, Inc.
• J’s Maintenance Service, Inc.
• The Oaks of Pasadena
• Orswell & Kasman, Inc.
• Pacific Harps
• Pasadena Police Officers Association
• Professional Child Development Associates
• Southern California Edison (SCE)
• Terraces at Paseo Colorado
• The Westin Pasadena

• Al Brooks Rose Bowl Tours, 55yrs
• Art Center College of Design, 52yrs
• Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena, 58yrs
• City of Pasadena-Economic Development, 52yrs
• Fuller Theological Seminary, 79yrs
• Jenkins Bowler, LLP., 73yrs
• Lewis Roca, 70yrs
• Sharp Seating-only Official Seating & Ticketing Company for the Tournament of Roses Parade, 60yrs

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TRAVEL WITH THE CHAMBER AND OUR MEMBER INDUS TRAVELS

Check this one off your bucket list-South Africa and Kruger National Park (and lions and elephants, and rhinos and giraffes and hippos and MORE). Accommodations are in resorts and hotels. Click the brochure for details.

SPECIAL OFFER: RESERVE BEFORE OCTOBER 15 AND SAVE $100 PER TRAVELER

All the information is here: 

https://www.indus.travel/tour/explore-magical-south-africa-with-pasadena-chamber-of-commerce/ 

To view the informational webinar from last week, click here:

https://meeting.zoho.com/meeting/public/videoprv?recordingId=0360474967e1b6f2e83b068e073666f15cab64e7e3c74b359c065b8bead9eced

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Member News-the latest from your fellow Chamber members. 

Here is what your fellow Pasadena Chamber members are up to:

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Give the gift of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet to the whole family. Celebrate America’s favorite Christmas tradition with an international all-star cast that blends world-class ballet with whimsical puppets, lavish costumes, and stunning acrobatics! Share the tradition of pure holiday magic and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score with friends and family of all ages. Don’t miss this chance to create memories of a lifetime. Get tickets now!

You can get discounted tickets to the December 13th performances (4pm and 8pm) of The Nutcracker at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

Use the Discount Code DOVE when ordering tickets here:

4PM: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0B006073F1CC2325
8PM: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0B006085F2C032FC


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Looking for a place to host your end of year celebration?

Fogo de Chao in Pasadena has you covered and has perks for you!

Book your group event of 15 or more guests by the end of October and receive a $100 dining card

plus, your guests will receive a $25 dining card each.

Contact Jimena Sirri at jsirri@fogo.com or call 626.556.9533

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Melodia Mariposa is returning to its birthplace on Mariposa Street in Altadena for our special 4th Halloween Concert. Join us for a spooky Halloween filled with treats and tunes! Thursday, October 31st, 4pm to 6pm in the driveway at 1165 East Mariposa in Altadena. 

Enjoy live music from Josh Harp, our one-man orchestra on guitars and harmonica.  Kids can collect treats and enjoy hands-on activities, exploring and learning about music in a fun way.

Join Josh before, during or after your trick & treating in Altadena.Come in costume - snacks, crafts and crowd participation provided!  Prizes for the best costume!

The event is free to all but it would really help with our planning if you told us you were coming!

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Stop By for Light Bites & Spooky Spirits-  It’s spooky season at Kensington Senior Living! Get into the Halloween spirit and join us for our Monsters and Martinis Networking Mixer, a spooktacular evening where professionals gather for great conversation, festive cocktails, and a little bit of Halloween fun! Mingle with fellow professionals in a lively, spirited atmosphere. 
 
Whether you’re looking to make new connections, catch up with colleagues, or simply enjoy a night of Halloween festivities, this event promises a hauntingly good time.
 
While you are here, take a tour of The Kensington, where Our Promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own. Meet our Executive Director CC and our beloved team who delivers uncompromising care throughout each day and night.
 
For questions, email Jodie Kendall, Director of Community Relations, at jkendall@kensingtonsl.com

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Pasadena Symphony's newly appointed Music Director Brett Mitchell launches his tenure with the massive orchestral force of Mahler’s monumental "Titan" Symphony, topping off a grandiose performance by International Tchaikovsky Competition winner Akiko Suwanai on Korngold’s "Hollywood" Violin Concerto.  

"For our season launch, I'm very excited our musicians' talent will be on display front and center on one of the greatest orchestral showpieces of all time, Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1, "Titan." This promises to be an inspirational, stimulating start to our time together, and I can't wait to share it with you all!”  - Brett Mitchell

Get your tickets today for Pasadena’s most anticipated opening night! Call the box office at (626) 793-7172 

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Are you looking to boost your brand visibility and make a lasting impression? Custom-branded merch is the perfect solution! From practical items like bags and pens to fun giveaways like stress balls or tech accessories, Merch Media offers a wide range of options to suit any occasion. With the holidays just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to choose a memorable client gift. Browse our website for inspiration or email sandy@merch-media.com for a no-obligation quote today!

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Join us at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena - Family Fall Fest for food and fun! Saturday, October 26th starting at 4:00 pm. Lake Avenue Church and the Children and NextGen Ministries invite everyone to join us this October 26th for our first FallFest event @ 393 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena. We will have food (including pizza, burgers, ice cream, pie-tasting, and apple cider). A petting zoo, trunk or treat cars, pumpkin carving, bounce houses, carnival games, face-painting, square dancing, music, contests, and prizes, and more. Questions? Contact Christy Cooper at christyc@lakeave.org or 626.817.4561.

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At Vroman's: For the first time, platinum-certified singer-songwriter Marina shares her singular observations of the human heart through poetry; this collection is essential.

Marina’s talent for powerful, evocative song lyrics finds a new outlet in her poetry. Each poem resonates with the same creative melodies and emotional depth that have made her an artistic sensation. Hailed by The New York Times for “redefining songs about coming of age, and the aftermath, with bluntness and crafty intelligence,” Marina delves even further into trauma, youth, and the highs and lows of relationships in these profound, autobiographical poems to form a collection that transcends the boundaries of music and literature.Marina’s talent for powerful, evocative song lyrics is undeniable—for the first time she will share her observations of the human heart through poetry in Eat the World: A Collection of Poems, out October 29, 2024.
**this event will be held at on off-site location, The Wilshire Ebell Theatre. One ticket = one admission to the event + 1 copy of Eat the World. The first 100 arrivals to the event will receive a signed copy!

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Arroyo Repertory Theatre (ART)  has been in-residence in NE Pasadena for 20 years. This community centered 501 c 3 focuses on the  innovation, collaboration and development of artistic experiences and expression in all the arts. Growth and change is inevitable. ART is vacating their arts space by the end of September 2024.  The search is on for a new performance/ exhibition space 4000- 7000 sq ft along with a storage space- one or the other or both for the present moment.
 
Please contact Dr. Jude Lucas for additional information about the search in finding a new home for this important addition to the arts community in NE LA County and Pasadena specifically. 323.333.2487 or jlucas@arroyorepertory.org

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This holiday season, Descanso Gardens invites you to immerse yourself in the wonder of two returning beloved events—Carved and Enchanted Forest of Light—each offering new surprises and enhanced experiences for visitors of all ages.
Tickets for both events are available for purchase through the Descanso Gardens website at www.descansogardens.org.

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The Social Impact Student Initiative (@socialimpactprojects), empowers students at Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) schools to learn about sustainable change and leadership. This program provides students with the opportunity to research systemic social challenges in their communities and then develop and produce projects that meet the needs. Students are empowered to create sustainable change in their schools and communities. COVID-19 has created a gap for students. This program supports students' social, emotional, cultural, and community development.  The Program cultivates youth leadership and community engagement, which fits the whole-child approach to the Community Schools framework set by the Department of Education.  Students engage in real-world opportunities through community service projects, interacting with leaders, planning and implementing projects, problem-solving, creating and managing a project budget, hosting school-wide and community events, and participating in civic field trips.  https://www.socialimpactstudents.org/impact-report

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Boston Court Pasadena opened the world premiere production of A Going Away Party Play, written by Keyanna Khatiblou and directed by James Fowler on Saturday, September 28.

A Going Away Party Play is a celebration of multicultural identities and an exploration of what it means to leave or lose your home country. The story centers on Mina, who is throwing a party for her closest friends - and the audience. Over the course of the party, the friends play games, reflect on the current American socio-political landscape, and discover truths about the story of Mina’s parents falling in love and staying in love while fleeing the Iranian Revolution.

Boston Court Pasadena is located at 70 N Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106. Parking is free in the on-site lot. For reservations and information, call (626) 683-6801 or go to bostoncourtpasadena.org.

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Maravilla Floral Designs is an eco-conscious florist in Los Angeles that creates beautiful floral expressions through sustainable practices.
We design fresh flower arrangements with biodegradable materials for all occasions.
From same day flower delivery to floral design workshops, we have a wide range of services to cater to your flower needs.
We offer a wide variety of floral services that include the following

• Flower Subscriptions for Residences, Hotels, and Business
• Weddings and Events
• Daily Flower Deliveries
• Sympathy Flowers for the Home & Funeral Services
• Flower Bar Rental

Call 213-772-1394 for a free event quote or place your flower delivery order online 

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Get your day started with Rosebud Coffee at 2302 E Colorado Blvd in Pasadena. Before you head to work, start your to-do list, or whatever you might be doing around the city of roses. Starting August 12, we will be opening earlier on weekdays, and closing a little earlier than before. Join us every day of the week between 7 am and 3:30 pm! If you plan to hang around the space any time after 3:30 pm, we encourage you to try a beer, wine, or some grub from Wild Parrot Brewing, who oversees the space after that time.
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New and Renewing Pasadena Chamber member businesses




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VOTER GUIDE - Pasadena Chamber recomendations

Pasadena Unified School District:

Measure R-PUSD Facilities Bond that would raise $900 million. OPPOSE.

Measure EE-PUSD Parcel Tax would impose $90 per parcel on homeowners for eight years, raising $5 million annually. OPPOSE

City of Pasadena:

Measure PL-Library Bond –$195 million general obligation bond will cover earthquake repairs, fire safety improvements, a new roof, asbestos and lead paint removal, technology and mechanical system upgrades, as well as restoration of services. NO POSITION

Measure PF-Fire and Police retirement System Representatives: This amendment aims to solve the long-standing issue of filling positions on the Fire and Police Retirement System (FPRS) Board by allowing more flexibility in member selection. SUPPORT

Measure H-(Rent Control Board) Amendments: The proposed revisions to the Pasadena Fair & Equitable Housing Charter Amendment (Measure H) aim to clarify legal language, address regulatory ambiguities, align with other city departments’ practices, and reduce the municipality’s administrative burdens, financial costs, and legal liabilities, according to the city. NO POSITION

The Board did not consider Measures PA, PB or PC, the measures to change selection of elected officials in the case of a vacancy, change the leadership roles among council members or impose term limits. 

State of California:

Proposition 2: A statewide bond measure to raise $10 billion for school construction. OPPOSE.

Proposition 4: A statewide bond measure to fund climate impacted programs like wildfire and forest programs, drinking water sustainability, sea level rise and more. SUPPORT.

Proposition 5: Would lower the voting requirement threshold for local measures that would support infrastructure projects and affordable housing development. OPPOSE.

Proposition 6: Would limit the use of forced labor in prisons. SUPPORT.

Proposition 32: Would raise the minimum wage to $18 per hour in California. OPPOSE.

Proposition 33: Would allow local governments to impose rent control on all rental units in California. Would undo the Costa-Hawkins Act and allow rent control on units built after February 1, 1995. OPPOSE.

Proposition 34: This would require certain health providers to use nearly all revenue received from federal prescription drug programs be spent on patient care. SUPPORT.

Proposition 35: Would make permanent a tax on managed health care insurance plans. SUPPORT

Proposition 36: Would increase penalties for theft and drug trafficking. SUPPORT. 

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