Expect Some Closures as City Celebrates Veterans Day

In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks proposed expanding Armistice Day, which commemorated the cease fire between the Allies and Germany in World War I on the 11th hour, day and month of 1918.

Weeks wanted to celebrate all veterans, living and dead, not just those who fought in the world’s first global conflict.

So Weeks led a delegation to visit Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, who had become president in 1952 and supported the idea of a national Veterans Day. In 1954, the name of the holiday was officially changed.

On this year’s Veterans Day on Wednesday, Pasadena City Hall will celebrate by closing many of its administrative and business offices and inviting the public to watch the city’s virtual Veterans Day tribute, beginning at 11 a.m.

However, many services will still be operating, among them the Fire, Police, Water and Power and Public Works departments, as well as public transit services.

Pasadena’s Police and Fire departments will be staffed for all patrol, jail, fire, paramedic and other emergency services, but business or administrative offices with both agencies will be closed. However, if you see something, say something and report suspicious activity to Pasadena police at (626) 744-4241. For life-threatening emergencies, dial 9-1-1.

Much the same goes for Pasadena’s Water and Power Department, which is recommending residents and businesses with power emergencies call PWP at (626) 744-4673. For water-related emergencies, call (626) 744-4138. PWP’s Customer Service Call Center will be closed for the holiday, but customers can still access their accounts and make payments by phone at (626) 744-4005 or online at www.PWPweb.com.

The City’s Citizen Service Center (CSC) will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, and will return to normal hours, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Thursday. CSC is available via the web and by calling (626) 744-7311.

Residents with city trash and recycling services will be on their regular pickup schedule on Nov. 11, including any previously scheduled pickups for bulky items.

Both Pasadena Transit and Pasadena Dial-a-Ride services will operate on their normal schedules, but all parking meters will be free, and parking time limits will not be enforced. However, violations for overnight parking, red curb parking, parking in “No Parking” zones and blocking fire hydrants will be enforced. All regular enforcement resumes Thursday.

All Pasadena Public Library sites will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11, with regular operating hours resuming Thursday.

All parks will be open for picnics, fun and play. However, no site reservations are being accepted for the holiday.

Any outdoor gatherings must be limited to three or fewer households, with everyone wearing a face covering and maintaining at least six feet of physical distance between those who do not live in the same household.

To further reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the duration of outdoor gatherings should be kept to less than two hours. As a reminder, indoor gatherings of any size with non-household members are not permitted, according to the department Health Officer’s Order.