In his inaugural address President Kennedy said: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. I was 11 years old when John Kennedy delivered his inaugural address. His speech had a profound impact on my life when several ye... More »
On October 15, 2021, I released my second book with local indie publishing house, GoldScriptCo. On that Friday, GoldScriptCo threw me a book release party at Mantra Coffee Company and B&B in Azusa (the very same spot of my first book launch nearly two years ag... More »
If we are going to stop gangs from thriving and growing in Pasadena we must begin to break the cycle of gang-gun violence. We must start within the Black community and have the help of non-profit organizations, so-called Black organizations, politicians, and l... More »
First, getting guns off the streets is great work indeed. Having attended ad hoc meetings since 2007, I must say I’ve encountered far too many stakeholders who are willing to discuss the problem of gun violence versus actually supporting grassroots solutions i... More »
Respect to the more than 300 people who showed up online and in person at last week’s community meeting aimed at dealing with the rise in local gun violence. Sadly, since that meeting one man died from wounds suffered during a shooting incident on Summit Avenu... More »
One of the first things I teach my sociology students to do is develop critical thinking skills, to break the habit of black and white, and either/or thinking. But this kind of simplistic thinking was on full display at this week’s Pasadena City Council, when ... More »
Last week, city officials hosted an emergency community meeting in response to increased gun violence in our city. According to an article appearing in Pasadena Now on October 29, Mayor Victor Gordo stated the following: “I’m concerned about what’s happening i... More »
Pasadena prides itself on being an innovative and welcoming city, and indeed the people of the city are genuinely wonderful. It is heartening to see signs around the neighborhood proclaiming that “Everyone is welcome here”. However, in order to match our actio... More »
The question for Pasadena Unified School District is not whether to mandate. The mandate is already here. On October 1, the State of California passed a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for students at all K-12 public and private schools. This policy adds the ... More »
Over 35 years ago, in the mid 1980’s L.A. County designated West Altadena predominately Black and Brown community for redevelopment. Lincoln Crossing was completed in 2007 with a fitness center, supermarket and retail stores. Fourteen years have passed and dev... More »
“Facts are stubborn things; whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence,” John Adams, our second president, once observed. Last week, some local residents seemed to have a pr... More »
On Monday October 18, 2021 I attended (virtually) a meeting of the Pasadena City Council. I’m a long-time resident, my son goes to public school here and I’ve been active with the PTA and local government. When I moved here years ago, I was truly shocked to ... More »
