Vision Rialto Report Available

A new website is online with neat-o research on The Rialto. Check it out, and if you have photos, insights or updates, let me know! www.rialtosouthpasadena.com

The Portantino Briganti Connection Tomorrow

Anthony Portantino, State Assemblymember repping South Pas, will be at Briganti on Tuesday 10/20 for lunch. Join us! It's 20 bucks. Lunch and lots of other stuff to chew on from Sacramento. Starts at 12 noon in Braganti, accross from City Hall. (Thanks, Nanni!) More info at www.southpaschamber.com

Rotary Rocks!

Just came from a San Marino/South Pas Rotary Chili cook-off fundraiser that was a blast. Hosted by Jeff Burke and Lorraine Triolo, it was to raise funds for a project to build a home for a family in Mexico. Great cause. Great chili. Plus I won a raffle prize . . . so I'm really happy! Hats off to the Rotarians in town(s). This was a great event.

City Council Candidates Forum on Cable Channel 19

Here's the blog post I promised at the close of the Candidates forum. Who you gonna vote for now? What did you think of their answers? For a repeat of the 1-hour forum, tune in to Cable Chanel 19 in South Pasadena. The replay will repeat on a loop between now and November 3rd, except when City Council and Planning Commission meetings are broadcast live.

City Council Candidates Questions

Tomorrow, Wednesday October 14th, the Chamber will host a candidates forum for City Council elections in South Pasadena, CA. Three candidates are running for two seats. What should we be asking these guys?

Paris in South Pasadena

Carlos Chavez-Andonegui presented South Pasadena City Council with a black and white painting of Paris - a donation to the City from the bustling new gallery on Fremont Ave. across from Carrow's. Created by a local resident of international acclaim, Roberto Gutierrez, the piece was part of a recent exhibition at The Fremont Gallery of Fine Art. It was part of the recent ArtsFest. But if you missed it, here's a quick video of that show. http://www.fremontgallery.com/files/Roberto_G.Paris.2.mp4.

Safety Tips for Your Business

Detective Richard Lee spoke to Chamber Members at this morning's breakfast at Mike & Anne's. The South Pasadena Police have a great response time, and he detailed several recent crimes and discussed best practices for business owners/managers. One new bit of news - it's now quicker to call 9-1-1 from your cell phone in an emergency than to call the dispatcher direct. The system now goes directly from the callers cell phone to the local dispatcher, as technology has improved. (It does not give the dispatcher an exact location, like land-lines do. But it'll get you the local police when you need them quick.)

Another reminder - by filling out the Business Information Form, including emergency contact info and key person identities, you can greatly expedite Police effectiveness if they ever have to respond to your emergency. Just go to the Police Station at 1414 Mission Street and ask for the form.