❤️ In this issue of Pasadena Spotlight 

🌤️ Pasadena, CA Weather

🍎 Pasadena School District and Teachers' Union at Loggerheads Over Contract Negotiations

🛍️ Authentically Yours, Pasadena" Campaign to Boost Local Businesses This Holiday Season

🗞️ Parents and Advocates Raise Concern Over Misuse of Pasadena Measure O Funds

🍔 Pasadena's Outdoor Dining: From Pandemic Necessity to Permanent Fixture

🗓️ Upcoming Local Events

Pasadena School District and Teachers' Union at Loggerheads Over Contract Negotiations

After four rounds of bargaining sessions for the 2023-2024 academic year, an impasse has been declared in the contract negotiations between the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) and the United Teachers of Pasadena (UTP).

The school district has expressed dissatisfaction with the stalemate, blaming UTP's persistent introduction of new terms that surpass PUSD's financial responsibility.

Despite the deadlock, PUSD remains committed to prioritizing the welfare of students and employees and will continue to explore budgetary practices and innovative solutions in its decision-making process.

Further updates on the situation will be communicated as events unfold.

Authentically Yours, Pasadena" Campaign to Boost Local Businesses This Holiday Season

The City of Pasadena and Visit Pasadena are teaming up to support small and local businesses this holiday season with the "Authentically Yours, Pasadena" campaign.

The campaign will kick off on Small Business Saturday, with welcome stations set up at 25 local businesses.

These stations will encourage residents and visitors to shop and dine locally, promoting economic growth and community cohesion.

The city is also offering free bus shuttle rides on the Pasadena Transit on November 24 and 25 to further encourage local shopping and dining.

Parents and Advocates Raise Concern Over Misuse of Pasadena Measure O Funds

In 2020, the Pasadena Unified School District proposed Measure O bond, promising upgrades for utilities, campus accessibility, and classroom technology.

However, controversy has arisen over the allocation of these funds, with three "priority" schools receiving significant funding while other needy schools are neglected.

Recent comments by board members have raised fears of future school closures, causing concern amongst parents and advocates.

Pasadena's Outdoor Dining: From Pandemic Necessity to Permanent Fixture

Pasadena's restaurant industry may soon see lasting changes to its pandemic-era outdoor dining practices.

The city's planning commission proposed modifications to the city code, including allowing outdoor dining on private property without additional parking and permitting ongoing on-site alcohol sales.

Since June 2020, the city has issued 46 outdoor dining permits, indicating a shift in dining habits.

Pasadena plans to use $1.5 million in federal funding to support outdoor dining and reimburse businesses for facade improvements or outdoor dining structures.

These proposed changes will go through several more rounds of review before being presented to the City Council.

Upcoming Local Events

Saturday, November 11

Family Workshop: Chinese Brush Painting – DongZhi Festival - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Family Workshop: Holiday Napkin Dyeing - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Opening: Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight - All day event

Pasadena Grows: Wildflower Shaker and Garden Tidying - 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Veterans Day "Pasadena Salutes Our Veterans" - 10:30 a.m.

UCLA vs Arizona State - 12:00 p.m.

Jazz Department Fall Recital - 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 12

Rose Bowl Flea Market - 5:00 a.m.

Bookmaking Workshop: Printed in 1085 - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Fenyes Gardens Paint/Sculpt-Out - 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

CRACKED: Nutcracker with a Twist! - 4:00 p.m.

Cancer Support Community Pasadena's Annual Poker Bowl Tournament - 6:00 p.m.